Who Can Perform Balcony Inspections in Los Angeles?

Licensed Experts That Perform Balcony Inspections in Los Angeles You Can Trust!

Every day, our phone rings and a client on the other end asks us, who can actually perform balcony inspections in Los Angeles?  Thankfully, the State of California has provided good guidance on this question, as well as generally, on the new mandatory “Balcony Inspection Laws” (also known as “E3”) that require mandatory safety inspections and repair of damaged balconies and other “Exterior Elevated Elements” (“EEE”).  These EEE are defined as decks, porches, stairways, walkways, and entry structures (including supports and railings) which extend beyond the exterior walls of the structure and that have a walking surface that is elevated more than six feet above ground level.

Who is Qualified to Perform SB 721 Inspections?

With respect to inspections for Senate Bill 721, which applies to multi-family residential apartment buildings (commercial apartment buildings), it is important to note that safety inspections must only be undertaken by a licensed architect, civil or structural engineer, or a specialty-license building contractor.  If someone who does not possess the above credentials offers to inspect your property’s balconies and other EEE, please walk away!

What to Look for in a Balcony Inspector

 If you are reading this blog carefully, it’s probably because you are asking yourself, “where can I find a qualified SB 721 inspector near me in Los Angeles?”  Well, we can help you with that question!  First, it’s incredibly important to note that as a commercial property owner, you should only look for and hire professional inspectors that are licensed, bonded, and insured.  And yes, we can explain what this means!

When an inspecting contractor is licensed by the State of California, this means that he or she has met or exceeded the State’s requirements, competencies, and tests, for providing construction and inspection services.  When a contractor is bonded, this means that they have purchased a “surety bond” which protects the buyer of such services from losses as a result of the contractor’s work (e.g., incomplete or shoddy work or property damages).  When a contractor is insured, this means he or she has purchased insurance policies that protect the contractor from insured losses, and therefore, protect the buyer of such services as well.  Always make sure that your inspecting contractor is licensed, bonded, and insured and of course, the professionals at Weinstein Construction always fit that bill!

Finally, if you are asking yourself, can a handyman do a balcony inspection under SB 721?  The answer to that is a definite “no”!  It goes without saying that if you are interested in how to choose a balcony inspector, you must find an inspector who is experienced in the subject matter, and has not only inspected balconies and other EEE, but also has assisted in repairing such important structures!  Some of the best ways to gain knowledge and expertise for inspection duties, is to actually repair such structures, and so who better to inspect EEE than a contractor who builds and repairs them?  I think you know the answer to that question!  If you want to check out additional resources on hiring a contractor, check out our Consumer Affairs Bulletin for tips on hiring contractors!

How to Verify a Contractor’s License and Experience

Once you have picked a Balcony Inspector, it is incredibly important to perform a license check on the inspector, to make sure that he or she actually possesses the license that they say they do, and that this license is still in good standing with the State of California.  You can easily read up on the subject in our CSLB license verification tips page!  Consider this the same as checking to see if the inspector is on the SB 721 licensed contractors list!

Before you make any hiring decision, take the time to perform an instant license check on the State of California’s Department of Consumer Affairs, Contractors State License Board (“CSLB”) “Check a License” website!  This website provides several ways to access publicly disclosable contractor information, including finding licensed contractors by classification, location, or master list.  

How to Use CSLB Directory

Once you click on the CSLB’s “Check a License” online verification tool, make sure to enter the inspecting contractor’s license number into the search box.  If you don’t know the contractor’s license number, just ask them.  If they refuse to tell you what their license number is, just walk away!  You can also make this check by entering a business name, etc.  For additional information and resources, check out the CSLB’s “Hire a Licensed Contractor” page!

Look, there are many good reasons to schedule your property’s EEE inspection now.  As the inspection due date approaches, the relatively small number of inspectors, engineers, and qualified contractors in the greater LA area will be struggling to cope with inspecting and repairing thousands of apartment and condo buildings!  This means inspection fees and construction costs will soar as the compliance inspection deadline gets closer! 

Don’t delay, have your property inspected earlier, rather than later, and reap the benefits of more flexibility in scheduling an inspection, as well as lower costs for inspection and remediation (if any).   Call the professional inspectors at Weinstein Construction today at (866) 623-5788 to schedule your free “Balcony Law” consultation – take advantage of lower prices today and get help in planning for this important and mandatory inspection program!